What is a commuter category airplane?

Question

and what is the difference between transport category?

Answer 1

FAR 23.3 defines the commuter class as being limited to propeller driven aircraft with 19 or fewer passenger seats with a max takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds.  Jet aircraft are not eligible for commuter category certification.

There are big differences in aircraft certification requirements between the commuter and transport categories.  I don't know the logic behind certifying them differently, although I would imagine that the commuter category was a compromise to provide some relief to the manufacturers of smaller propeller driven airplanes from the full transport category certification requirements (read: manufacturers and small operators complained to the FAA long enough for a compromise to be drafted).

Answer 2

Wow, I thought commuter was a code word for low pay and poor working conditions.  Kinda like Regional Airline.  I used to fly a small jet, and people called us a commuter, and now I know they were all wrong.

Answer 3

Aircraft operate under specific Federal Aviation Regulations, (FARs).  

FAR 121 - FAR 135 - FAR 91.  Depending on if they are operating as:

1.  Air Taxi - Commuter

2.  Air Carrier

3.  General Aviation

Each of the above has different requirements for pilot qualifications as well as aircraft equipment requirements.

You can go to WWW.FAA.GOV, for further info.

Answer 4

delta airlines vs like a cargo plane